World Rugby reveals record £345m annual revenue

AFP on December 1, 2016, 2:22 am

London (AFP) - World Rugby announced record annual financial results on Wednesday, with revenue of nearly Â£345 million ($430 million, 406 million euros) generated in 2015 mainly on the back of last year's World Cup in England.

World Rugby said it now expected to put Â£245.8 million into the game in the next four-year cycle to 2020, surpassing by 22 percent the Â£201 million investment for the preceding 2013-16 period.

The results showed a profit for the year Â£189.5 million, with all funds received from the World Cup to be reinvested in the game through various programmes organised by World Rugby, rugby union's global governing body.

Meanwhile rugby participation topped a record 7.73 million, almost double the figure at the start of the cycle.

The former England captain added: "These record financial results will underpin our game-wide investment programme that is a proven catalyst for year on year participation increases and will ensure that we can build a strong and sustainable global game in partnership with our unions and regional associations."